STRATEGIC PLANNING: Mega Issues Reviewed

Mega issues are issues of strategic importance, which represent choices the school district will need to make in defining the ultimate direction of its long-range plan. These issues represent potential impediments to achievement of the Envisioned Future, and form a basis for dialogue about the choices facing the school district. These questions can serve as an ongoing "menu" of strategic issues that, using a knowledge-based approach in gathering insights relative to St. Ignatius Public Schools’ strategic position and directional choices for each of the issues, can be used by the Board to create regular opportunities for strategic dialogue about the future issues facing the school district.

Note: The mega-issue questions are not necessarily arranged in priority order. 

v Mega-Issue Questions for consideration by the District:

• How can we effectively engage the support of the community to enhance parental support of the educational system and subsequently improve student outcomes?

• How can we broaden the awareness to all employees of the District the importance of delivering a consistent, high quality education to the students regardless of background or capabilities?

• What can we do to encourage and support at-risk students to become fully engaged in (completing) their educational program?

• How do we instill the value of education?

• What can we do to decrease the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATODs)?

• As a district, what do we need to do to stay in front of the continued advancements in technology and science as it pertains to the culture of our students?

• How do we adjust with the possible sequestering of federal funding?

• MEGA ISSUES: Reviewed and updated on February 26, 2013.

Knowledge-Based Decision Making Questions

The Board should prioritize the above-referenced mega issues and decide which of these issues require immediate attention on the part of the Board.  Once the identified mega-issues are prioritized, the Board will set aside time at scheduled meetings to analyze a particular mega issue. At such meetings, the Board's primary focus will be on the mega-issue at hand.  All other business (routine or otherwise) will be conducted at the end of the meeting once the dialogue and deliberation on the mega-issue has been concluded for that meeting.  When analyzing mega issues, the Board will utilize a knowledge-based decision making process.  This will keep the focus of the Board on relevant factors to consider as it develops strategies to overcome particular impediments/barriers that may impact the Board's strategic direction.  The Board will analyze mega-issues by answering the following questions:

1.              What do we know about the wants, needs and preferences of our constituents that are relevant to this decision?

2.              What do we know about the current realities and evolving dynamics facing our constituents/community that is relevant to this decision?

3.              What do we know about the capacity/strategic position of our school district that is relevant to this decision?

4.              What are the ethical implications of our choices?